The State Government has launched a review of its many financial concessions in an attempt to find out if the right people are receiving the support they need and if others are missing out.
Being led by the Minister for Human Services, Nat Cook, a reference group has been formed to provide advice and identify any opportunities for change.
Ms Cook said the concessions made by the State cost more than $245 million through discounts, subsidies and rebates to eligible households and individuals on low and fixed incomes to help ease the cost of some essential living expenses, such as energy bills, transport and medical expenses.
She said the reference group to conduct the review included the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS); Council on the Ageing SA (COTA); Multicultural Communities Council of SA; SA Financial Counsellors Association; Youth Affairs Council of SA (YACSA); the South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network; and the Working Women’s Centre SA.
Ms Cook said that of the 19 concessions being reviewed, there were:
* $164 million worth of household concessions – Cost of Living, water, sewerage, energy, Emergency Services Levy remission and the School Card Scheme
* $70 million worth of transport concessions – public transport, drivers licence and vehicle registration;
* $13 million worth of health and wellbeing concessions – SA Ambulance Cover, funeral assistance, and medical heating and cooling.
“The review will explore the concessions delivery, barriers to access, inconsistencies in eligibility, effectiveness of concessions targeting, priorities for change, and budget implications,” Ms Cook said.
“It will also compare South Australian Government concessions to those on offer around the country,” she said.
“The reference group will identify change priorities for detailed modelling, and will provide advice on engagement, including potential for wider engagement later in the review process.”
The Minister said a comprehensive public report would be due by next summer, 2023/24.
